Ya’el Santopinto OAA FRAIC is an Architect and Principal at ERA Architects, where she leads ERA’s deep retrofit and affordable housing practice. She was Project Architect on the landmark Passive House renewal of the Ken Soble tower, as well as dozens of building- and site-rehabilitation projects on postwar apartment towers across Ontario. Ya’el is also Director of Research and Partnerships with the Tower Renewal Partnership, a research and coalition-based initiative focused on the preservation of Canada’s affordable apartment housing supply. This work includes development of renewal standards, assessment of industry gaps, best practice for retrofits with residents in place, and other supports to enable Canada-wide scaling of these crucial housing investments. Ya’el is a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.